Rootstocks effect on plant nutrition concentration in different organ of grafted watermelon

Abstract

<p style="text-align:justify;"> <span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"">In this study carried out in 2009 and 2010 growing seasons, effect of rootstocks on plant nutrition partitioning in grafted watermelon onto four gourd rootstocks was investigated. Ferro, RS841 (<i>Cucurbita maxima </i>x <i>C. moschata</i>) and Argentario and Macis (Lagenaria hybrid) were used as rootstocks. Crimson Tide and Crisby watermelon cultivars were used as scion. Grafted and ungrafted seedlings were produced by a commercial seedling company. Plants were grafted by one cotyledon grafting techniques. Experiment was conducted in Alata Horticultural Research Station inMersin. The<i> </i>grafted plants were planted under low tunnel in early spring and regular cultural practices for watermelon were applied. Plant nutrition concentrations were determined in leaf, fruit rind, fruit flesh and seeds. Leaf sample was taken at flowering stage, rind, flesh and seed sample were taken from fully mature fruit. Nitrogen concentration was determined by modified Kjheldahl methods. Phosphorous concentration was determined by vanadomolybdophosphoric acid method. K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu concentration of samples were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Plant nutrient concentration in leaf, rind, flesh and seed were significantly affected by rootstocks. Increase in concentration of N, P, K, Ca and Mg in leaves was not observed in grafted plant. Ungrafted plant had higher concentration of Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu in their leaves. Ca concentration in rind of fruits from grafted watermelon was higher than ungrafted control plant except Crimson Tide/Macis and</span> <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'} ';">Crimson Tide/Argentario graft combinations. </span><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'} ';">Plant nutrition content of fruit flesh was significantly affected by rootstocks and scion. Magnesium, Fe, Zn and Mn concentration of seed was not significantly influenced by rootstocks and scion while other plant nutrient content was significantly affected rootstocks and scion.</span> </p

Accumulation of nutrients and agronomic performance of grafted seedless watermelon

“…The effects of rootstocks on the absorption, translocation and use of nutrients on plants have been documented in previous studies (Rouphael et al 2008, Colla et al 2010, Yetisir et al 2013. The increase of nutrient absorption in grafted plants may be attributed mainly to the physical characteristics of the root system, such as the vertical and lateral development of the roots, which promote increased absorption of water and inorganic nutrients.…”

“…For 'Crisby' watermelon, a reduction in the concentration of iron was found when it was grafted onto Lagenaria siceraria or Cucurbita spp. hybrid, whereas for 'Crimson Tide', the response varied according to the rootstock (Yetisir et al 2013).…”

“…These results differ from those observed for 'Ingrid' watermelon, which showed no difference in phosphorus accumulation between grafted and ungrafted plants (Rouphael et al 2008). However, Yetisir et al (2013) evaluated two watermelon cultivars grafted onto Lagenaria siceraria hybrids and Cucurbita spp. hybrids and found different amounts of phosphorus accumulation in watermelon.…”

“…For 'Crimson Tide' and 'Crisby' watermelons, the calcium content was affected by the rootstock, regardless of the Lagenaria siceraria or Cucurbita spp. hybrids (Yetisir et al 2013).…”

“…For 'Crisby' and 'Crimson Tide' watermelons, a reduction in zinc accumulation was observed with the graft onto Lagenaria siceraria and Cucurbita spp. hybrids (Yetisir et al 2013). According to Pulgar et al (2000), grafted watermelon plants show an increased efficiency of zinc integration into nitrogenous compounds, forming chelates, which may promote an increase in the foliar biomass of grafted plants.…”